Mediaional Intervention
For Sensitizing
Caregivers
[MISC]
Tirussew Teferra, Professor
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
March,2012
MISC
MIC [ More Intelligent Child ]
 MISC [Process ] Mediational Intervention
for Sensitizing Caregivers
 MISC [Objective] More Intelligent and
Sensitive Child

Theoretical Foundation
Theory of Mediated Learning Experience
[ Feuerstein R, Pnina Klein 1990, Klein, P.S & Rye Henning 2004,
Sameroff and Fiese,2000]
Promoting Quality Interaction
Assumptions : Child’s World
– Unplanned
– Undifferentiated
– Unfocussed
MISC cont…
The child needs an adult to convey,
interpret, analyze and understand his/her
world.
 Open inning the appetite]
Leads to discovery of learning
World
Adult
Child
MISC cont…

Objectives of the MISC
 Promoting Quality Interaction




Contextualizing Child Rearing (Identification of the Sociocultural Child Rearing practices) ,
Creating Expressive Affective Communication
Improve parents perceptions of the child &
Enhancing Whole Child Development.
“YES-Cycle”
CHILD
CAREGIVER
giver
“NO-CYCLE”
CHILD
Little eye contact
CREGIVER
Cycles of Interaction
Yes – Cycle






Body contact
Eye contact
Smiling face
Responding the child’s
behavior
Following the child’s lead
Turning-taking /sharing
of feelings)
No-cycle
Lack of sensitivity
 No turn-taking
 No exchange of emotions
 Commands and shouts
 Little eye-contact
 No follow up to the child’s
initiatives

MISC Principles
 Focusing
(Drawing attention)
 Mediation of Meaning/Naming
 Transcendence/ Expansion
 Mediation of Feelings Competence
 Mediation of Regulation of behavior
Application of MISC
Principles

Focusing (Catching the Child's Attention)
– Intentionality & Reciprocity
– Turn-taking
– Eye Contact
– Positioning
Insights :
Verbal and nonverbal/physical contact
See it ! Taste it !, Touch! Hold it ! Smell it ! Listen !
Application of MISC
Principles

Mediation of Meaning
– Naming & expressing affect
– Identifying surrounding objects, animals,
plants, flowers
– Situations for mediation bathing, feeding
walking etc
Insights :
Appreciation, admiration, exaggeration, changing the intonation of
voice and astonishment, changing of pitch and volume
It is nice ! I like it very much! It is beautiful! Smile !
Application of MISC
Principles

Transcendence/Expansion
– Going beyond the concrete experience,
– Connecting and explaining
– Clarification of processes
– Discuss about things not seen and heard
– Relate the present to the past and the future
Insights:
Identification of relevant themes for discussion.
Why questions !
Application of MISC
Principles

Mediation of feelings of Competence
– Expression of satisfaction or recognition in
response to the task accomplished in good
timing
– Reinforcing with explanation
Insights:
Verbal and Nonverbal
Great ! Fine ! Well done ! Clapping of hands ! Smiling!
Application of MISC
Principles

Regulation of behavior
– Organizing and Planning
– Planning before acting (reflective thinking)
– Clarifying interests and goals
– Matching ability to task
– Managing the level of energy
Insights :
How ? When? Where ? Sequencing of steps !
Whole Child Development
Cognitive
Language
Social
Emotion
Physical
Motor
Discussion Points
1.
Compare and contrast the behaviors of children brought-up in a
No-Cycle and a Yes-Cycle behave ? Give examples of the
respective child rearing scenarios.
2.
Compare and contrast the behaviors of children brought-up with
out and with a feeling of competence behave ? Give examples
how parents and teachers practice these at home and at school.
3.
How do you think children brought-up without understanding their
surrounding [with out meaning] behave ? Give examples how
parents can assist children to make meaning out of their
environment.
Discussion Points cont…
4.
How do you think children who have no idea beyond the concrete
experience would behave ? Identify strategies how parents can
promote children’s learning beyond their concrete environment.
5.
Discuss how do children brought-up with and without regulation
of behavior behave ? Give examples how mothers or caregivers
can promote regulation of behaviors .
Implications OF THE MISC PROGRAM
1.
Extension of the program to different settings
(preschools, primary schools, child care institutions &
rehabilitation centers etc.)
2.
Incorporation of Mediation framework in ECCE and
teacher education programs.
3.
Endorsement of MISC/ ICDP by WHO
Thank You !!